Cruise W E E K L Y Cruise Weekly today Cruise Weekly today features three pages of all the latest cruise industry news.
New cruise survey OVER 200 agents have flocked to share their experiences in the latest 2017 cruise industry survey by Cruise Weekly and sister publication Travel Daily. The 10-minute poll, the only mass trade survey of its kind, opened yesterday and asks agents to rate their levels of satisfaction, awareness and service with cruise industry suppliers. Conducted by independent research group Stollznow Market Research, the data will show detailed comparisons with the 2016 results and responses will be de-identified, assuring confidentiality of participants. Take part for the chance to win Fitbit Charge 2 watches and Event cinema tickets - CLICK HERE.
Tuesday 11 Apr 2017
Bris terminal step closer PLANS for a $100 million cruise terminal near the mouth of the Brisbane River capable of handling “mega-cruise ships” have progressed, with stakeholders reaching an inprincipal agreement. The Qld Govt, Brisbane City Council and Qld Urban Utilities have agreed with the Port of Brisbane on “crucial commercial and technical issues”, Qld Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, Curtis Pitt said. “In-principle agreement with these stakeholders means that realistic solutions have been developed and the way is now clear to undertake the detailed business case to finalise the Port’s proposal to deliver a facility that will be a welcome addition to Brisbane’s tourism infrastructure,” Pitt explained. If approved, the new terminal would mean mega-cruise ships
no longer have to dock at an industrial berth at the Port of Brisbane on the south side of the Brisbane River. The agreement demonstrates the project’s viability and if it progresses into a binding contract, it’s expected construction would commence this year and the facility would be delivered in 2019. The new terminal aims to help Qld capture “a greater share of the cruise market”, with a record number of cruise ships calling into the Sunshine State in 2015/16. Royal Caribbean International told Cruise Weekly it would consider calling into the new terminal “if the facility is cost effective and fit for purpose”. “We know there is a huge appetite for cruising in Qld and we’d love to homeport one of our ships in Brisbane again one day,” RCI said in a statement.
Viking’s golden ticket VIKING is sending seven golden tickets in deliveries of its justreleased 2018 river brochure. Each golden ticket, hidden between the brochures, entitles the bearer to an eight-day Rhine Getaway river cruise for two from Amsterdam to Basel (or vice versa) on a pre-selected date. The program includes two new itineraries to Ukraine and Egypt and incudes new additions to the fleet, Viking Hild and Viking Herja.
Costa neoRomantica COSTA neoRomantica has been deployed to Asia and becomes the fifth ship to operate under Costa Cruises’ Costa Asia brand. From 26 Apr-08 Oct, the ship will sail from Fukuoka, Japan, offering new five- to eight-day itineraries which the line said were “designed to immerse guests in the magic of the diverse and niche destinations”.
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Carnival hits brewing milestone
cruise W E E K L Y
Tuesday 11 Apr 2017
Avalon 2018 program
Uniworld eyes Asia
AVALON Waterways will introduce a new ship, as well as a range of itineraries in Vietnam and Myanmar under its justreleased 2018 program. Next year the 36-passenger Avalon Saigon will double the line’s capacity in Vietnam when she joins her sister ship Avalon Siem Reap on the Mekong in Sep. Avalon’s 2018 program introduces two 18- and 21-day sailings on the Mekong River, along with a 16-day itinerary on Myanmar’s Irrawaddy River. Also new to 2018, the cruise line has expanded its Active Discovery cruises in Europe to include sailings on the Rhine.
UNIWORLD Boutique River Cruise Collection is looking at how it can become “an even more international experience”, ceo Ellen Bettridge told CW. The line invited a number of partners from Asia, including Malaysia and the Philippines on the recent inaugural sailing of S.S. Joie de Vivre. “You’re always looking for where that next customer is coming from and how you look for engagement and how you position yourselves for more growth,” Bettridge said. MEANWHILE, Uniworld trialled a new caviar tasting experience during the ship’s first sailing, to be offered as a paid extra to guests on S.S. Joie de Vivre. Passengers who participate would learn about the delicacy and be gifted three tins of it as part of the experience. Bettridge said the new offering was being introduced in order to give “customers more options and choices”.
Emerald Liberte sails EVERGREEN Tour’s first river ship in France, Emerald Liberte began sailing on the Rhone and Saone rivers over the weekend. The 138-pax vessel offers an eight-day itinerary from Apr-Oct. For images, see FACEBOOK.
CARNIVAL Cruise Line has toasted the success of its bespoke beer ThirstyFrog Summer Ale, having served almost 200,000 schooners since the craft ale was launched three years ago. Created in partnership with Sydney’s Lord Nelson Brewery, ThirstyFrog Summer Ale is one of the most popular beers served on the Australia-based Carnival Spirit and Carnival Legend. The line celebrated the threeyear milestone on Fri with an event marking US National Beer Day, held at The Lord Nelson Hotel in the Rocks. Carnival’s visiting vice president of beverage operations Eddie Allen said the success of the
brew in Australia had inspired similar partnerships in the US where there were now 12 local breweries providing beers for Carnival ships. “It’s a trend that started right here in Australia with ThirstyFrog Summer Ale and the Lord Nelson partnership,” Allen said. The craft beer venture had also inspired an on board pub and brewery on Carnival Vista which was being extended to other ships sailing in the Caribbean. Allen is pictured above left with Carnival Cruise Line vice president and general manager Australia Jennifer Vandekreeke and Lord Nelson Brewery managing director Blair Hayden.
Cruise survey Share your experiences with us Take our quick survey CLICK HERE 1 of 2 FitBit Charge 2 and 25 Event Cinemas movie tickets up for grabs
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cruise
Your mouth will water when you read our comparison of the food offerings on ships homeporting in Australia in the April issue of travelBulletin.
W E E K L Y
CLICK HERE to read
Tuesday 11 Apr 2017
Silversea Suite details SILVERSEA has unveiled details of Silver Muse’s Owner’s Suite, called Balsorano, after the cruise line’s chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidi di Balsorano de Clunieres. Stretching over 93m2, the space reflects the taste and Italian tradition of Lefebvre and includes a curated selection of his personal items including sculptures, family photographs and works of art. The suite (pictured) will also be stocked with vintage port.
Aussies explore Viking Star
Adelaide port history THE South Australian Government has proposed a maritime precinct for Dock 2 at Port Adelaide as part of a strategy to promote the district’s unique maritime heritage. Under the Historic Ships and Boats Strategy, Dock 2 would host land-based historic vessels such as the City of Adelaide clipper ship and the schooner Nelcebee, while existing water-based vessels, such as the One & All and the Falie, would remain at their location at McLaren Wharf.
Oceania vegan menu
Cruise Calendar This week’s port calls of cruise ships at various destinations around Australia. SYDNEY Emerald Princess Celebrity Solstice Carnival Spirit Sea Princess Carnival Spirit
12 Apr 13 Apr 14 Apr 15 Apr 17 Apr
MELBOURNE MS Sirena
11 Apr
BRISBANE Pacific Dawn Pacific Aria Pacific Dawn Radiance of the Seas Sea Princess
11 Apr 14 Apr 15 Apr 16 Apr 17 Apr
CAIRNS Sea Princess
11 Apr
DARWIN Silver Discoverer
15 Apr
TEN agents and their guests recently experienced a six-day taster of Viking Star’s 13-day Mediterranean Odyssey ocean cruise from Barcelona to Rome. The group participated in cruiseincluded excursions to Toulon’s Old Quarter, a walking tour of Monaco and a visit to the leaning
Duchess delayed AMERICAN Queen Steamboat Company has pushed back the launch of its new vessel, American Duchess from 01 Jul to 13 Aug, to ensure “high expectations” are delivered from the maiden voyage onwards, coo Tek Sykes said - CLICK HERE.
CCL corp treasurer DARRELL Campbell joined Carnival Corp yesterday as corporate treasurer, replacing Josh Weinstein, who is transitioning to president of Carnival UK (CW 28 Mar). Campbell brings nearly two decades of financial experience and will be based at Carnival Corp’s headquarters in Miami.
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tower of Pisa. Optional excursions were also offered, such as a visit to The Gothic Quarter, Catalonian Cuisine in Barcelona and a Tuscan wine & Merenda tasting in Florence. Agents who participated in the famil include: Gina Maitland, Alpha Travel; Jacqueline Nelson, Albury Travel and Cruise; Kirilly Plum, Destination HQ; Charline Richards and Karen Enders, Helloworld Strathpine; Lynette Robinson, National Seniors Travel; Karen Jones, italktravel Maitland; Megan Hill, Cruise Express; and Adam Pearson & Fiona Pearson, Escape Travel.
Sabatini’s new menu PRINCESS Cruises has unveiled a new design and menu for its signature restaurant Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria. The refreshed restaurant has debuted on Caribbean Princess following a multimillion dollar drydock and the new menu will be introduced on Grand Princess this month. It will be rolled out across the fleet in coming months.
VEGAN menus are now available in the Grand Dining Room across all of Oceania Cruises’ six ships. The line has also introduced the “only cold-pressed raw juice and vegan smoothie bars at sea,” located on the pool deck and serving from 7am-11am.
PORTHOLE ADVENTURES by Disney has ventured into new territory, introducing Beauty and the Beast sailings along the Rhine. Six departures with AmaWaterways in 2018 will include a Beauty and the Beast-themed dinner, screenings of both the liveaction and animated versions of the film and a tour of Riquewihr, a French village that “is as picturesque as Belle’s hometown from the movie”. Fans can also belt out some of the classic tunes from the film at a themed karaoke night.
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